Yuck! I have green string algae?
It is caused (once again) by too much nutrients in the water. This algae is found most commonly during spring and summer. To eliminate this problem, the proper filtration of the water is important. Either biological or mechanical filtration is required to remove the...
Water pH & Water Hardness
What is pH and Hardness? pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of water. Different fish have learnt to adapt to different pH levels, thus, it’s important to know the requirements of your fish. Although many fish can adapt to a range of pH levels, fluctuations...
How does pH impact on fish?
A pH measurement will help us determine if our water is a proper place to put the fish. For our Koi ponds, the pH should normally be between 7.0 and 8.5, but it is probably acceptable to be anywhere between 5.5 and 9.0. Although most of the fish could tolerate a pH as...
Ammonia
Ammonia is toxic to fish. Exposure to ammonia results in an increase in mucus on the fish. The increased mucus may harbour bacteria and parasites which will cause infection. Gills may also become swollen and both will result in the reduced ability of the fish to...
Nitrites
High levels of nitrites are also toxic to fish.Those steps listed above to reduce ammonia should effectively reduce levels of nitrites.The most common sign of nitrite poisoning is the fish gasping at the waters surface.Proprietary kits can be purchased to measure...
Nitrates
Nitrates are the end product of the breakdown of ammonia. It would be more worrying if Nitrates were not present in the water as this would tend to suggest that the filter is not functioning correctly. High levels of nitrates aren’t generally harmful to fish,...
Oxygenation
Surface area is all important to the oxygenation of the pond water. Aeration increases the surface area of water that comes into contact with the air. In warm temperatures, the amount of oxygen that can be dissolved in water decreases. At the same time, fish are more...
Chlorine & Chloramines
Chlorine (Cl) is a gas which is added to municipal water systems to control harmful bacteria. In the United States, if you don’t have a water well on your property, you probably pay for chlorinated water. Test kits are rarely owned by the pond hobbyist because...
Adding Fish To Your Pond
Fish stocking density is affected by many different variables. Larger fish require a LOT more water than smaller fish. The number of plants in your pond, the type of filtration system, and the dissolved oxygen levels in your pond affect it. The waste handling capacity...
What is a skimmer basket for?
The skimmer baskets establish the water level, house the pump and plumbing, remove floating debris, serve as biological filters, and circulate oxygenated water back to the pond. They also protect the pump from clogging. The filter mats and debris nets are very easy to...
How important are fish in a water garden?
Fish are one of the components in balancing a successful water garden. Fish also add color and movement; they bring your pond alive. Fish help the ecological balance of water gardens by acting as pond gardeners. They trim excess foliage and eat algae, mosquito larvae,...
Barley Straw and Algae Control
What’s the newest, most innovative and cost effective way of controlling the simpler forms of algae in a water gardening setting? Well, how about tossing a small bale of Barley Straw into the pond? Yep, we said “Barley Straw”. Farmers in...
How frequently do I have to add water to my pond?
Depends on the size of your pond. For instance, under a normal circumstance, the water level of a 6’x8’x3′ pond may drop 1/4″ to 1/2″ inch every week because of evaporation. When there is a high wind situation, the speed of evaporation...
How often do I have to clean the skimmer basket?
The skimmer basket is designed for catching the debris from your pond and housing the pump. In the autumn season, if your pond is built around the trees, you may check out the skimmer basket at least twice a week. If the leaves block the entrance of basket, the pump...
How often do I have to feed the fish?
Generally speaking, you should not feed your fish more than twice per day, and not more than they can eat within five minutes each time. Excess uneaten food pollutes the pond and creates toxic ammonia. You should not feed at all when the water temperature is 50...
How long do I leave the lights on each day?
Plants want a definite daily light and dark cycle each day; 10-14 hours is fine; twelve hours is the duration on the equator, where many tropical plants are found. You should buy a timer ($5-$10) to automatically turn the lights on and off for you, since the plants...
Do I need to have my pump(s) running all the time?
Pumps give your pond water circulation. If they are the right size for your pond and are properly placed, they eliminate stagnant water and provide oxygen to your pond. If they are connected or pumped to a filter, you reduce the effectiveness of the filter if your...
How often should I backwash my filter?
Once a week with a normal amount of fish and plants, twice a week for a large amount of fish and plants. The steps on how to backwash your filter: Turn off the pump. In order to get maximum Backwash cleaning, please clean out the skimmer basket(s) and the pump...
Math & Conversions
We’ve found these formulas and conversion factors to be helpful! Have Fun!! Pond Volume: For a square or rectangular pond volume in gallons: (Length) x (Width) x (Depth) = cubic volume, if measured in inches divide by 231 if measure in feet multiply by...
How much will I pay for the electricity of my pump?
Would you like to know how much you spend on the electricity of your pump? You may find the following formula will be helpful. First you need to find out what your pump horsepower is, then get your electricity rate from your monthly statement. Here we go. Cost = (...
